Soap composition



Patented Oct. 24, 1939 PATENT OFFICE 2,177,055 SOAP COMPOSITION Helen M. Cranor, Plandome, N. I.

No Drawing. Application October 14, 1938, Serial No. 105,517. In Great Britain March 2, 1936 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to a toilet soap or soap composition capable of removing from the human body the odor of perspiration and other offensive body odors.

An object of the invention is to provide a soap or detergent composition which when employed in the usual manner neutralizes and removes odorous exudations without employing ingredients giving rise to offsetting odors.

I have found that if a relatively large quantity of bicarbonate of soda be added to and thoroughly admixed with a toilet soap, preferably a neutral soap, the resultant composition will be very eflective in neutralizing odors of perspiration'and even bromidrosis. It will also reduce or minimize acquired odors such, for instance, as that imparted to the hands by smoking.

1 have found that this. deodorizlngproperty is possessed by acid carbonates or bicarbonates, as well as normal carbonates, of various alkali metals, including, in addition to sodium such other alkali metals as potassium, lithium, etc.; also acid and normal carbonates of other metals which are free from toxic or irritant eifect on the human skin, such, for example, as the normal and acid carbonates of calcium, zinc, aluminum, bismuth and magnesium.

My invention contemplates the use of any of this class of substances as deodorants and the proportions employed depend upon the activity of the salt in neutralizing odors. The upper limit of salt content may be determined by the lathering qualities of the mixture and the ability of the soap component to absorb the carbonate or bicarbonate salt. The lower limit of salt content is determined by the desired deodorizing effect. I have found by experiment that some deodorizing eifect is obtained with a content of as little as 5 per cent. by weight of bicarbonate of soda if introduced into an approximately neutral soap, but for practical purposes there should be at least ten (10) parts by weight of bicarbonate of soda to ninety (90) parts by weight of the soap component. I have also found that it is possible to use equal parts by weight of bicarbonate of soda and a neutral soap without materially eifecting the lathering qualities of the mixture. It is also possible to form this mixture into cakes which will not crumble. It will be obvious that to provide an acceptable article of commerce the proportion of salt must be less than that which would cause crumbling of a soap cake. However, I prefer to use a smaller proportion of the salt, say 25 per cent. to 30 perv cent. by weight. Such a composition retains the physical properties essential to toilet soap, namely, smooth texture and good lathering qualities. anditcanbeeasllyproducedintheformof cakes, or as a flake or bead, or powder; as well as in other forms in which toilet soap is customarily marketed. Supplementary binding materials may or may not be included and coloring or perfuming agents compatible with the composition may be used when such are desired to enhance the selling qualities of the article. The addition of corn starch will add to the smoothness of the product.

While my invention contemplates the use of various carbonates of alkali metals, and also of heavier metals, I prefer to use sodium bicarbonate as this is particularly effective and is inexpensive and. harmless to the human skin. However, I wish it to be understood that the scope of my invention is not limited to the use of sodium bicarbonate.

The deodorant may be introduced into the soap in any practical way which will occur to those skilled in the art of soap manufacture. For example, during manufacture and before the soap has been evaporated the salt may be introduced in dry state or preferably mixed in a small quantity of water in order to facilitate the distribution of 'thesalt throughout the soap mixture. The mixture may then be stirred until well blended and thereafter evaporated to a consistency suitable for conversion into cake form or any other toilet soap form required. I have also found that the salt may be introduced after the soap has been solidified, by grinding the soap and mixing the powdered salt therewith, after which the mixture may be compressed into cakes.

I claim:

1. A toilet soap in cake form having smooth texture and good lathering properties and ex: hibitin'g pronounced deodorant action without the use of components deleterlously aifecting the skin, said soap consisting of an approximately neutral soap in an amount of 90 to parts by weight, and a deodorant consisting of sodium bicarbonate in an amount of 10 to 30 parts by weight, the amount of sodium bicarbonate being substantially less than that which would cause crumbling of the composition.

2. A'toilet soap in cake form having smooth texture and good lathering properties and exhibiting pronounced deodorant action without the use of components deleteriously affecting the skin, said soap consisting of an approximately neutral soap in an amount of '25 to 70 parts by weight, and a deodorant consisting of sodium bicarbonate in an amount of 25 to 30 parts by weight, the amount of sodium bicarbonate being substantially less than that which would cause crumbling of the composition.

HELEN M. CRANOR. 

